The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

You think (said she) that I have no just Authority: Please your Majesty, (said he) that learned men in all ages have had their judgements free, and most commonly disagreeing from the Common judgement of the world;¹ Such also have they published, both with Pen and tongue, notwithstanding they themselves have lined in the common Society with others, and have borne patiently with the error and imperfections which they could not amend. Plato the Philosopher wrote his Book of the Common wealth, in the which he condemns many things that were maintained in the world, and required many things to have been reformed: And yet notwithstanding he lived under such Politics, as then were universally received without farther troubling any State: Even so Madame am I content to do, in uprightness of heart, and with a testimony of good Conscience, I have communicate my judgement to the world; if the Realm finds no inconveniences in the Regiment of a woman, that which they approve, shall I not further disallow, then within my own breast, but shall be all well content, and shall live under your Majesty, as Paul was to live under the Roman Emperor: And my hope is, that so long as ye defile not your hands with the Blood of the Saints of God, that neither I nor that Book shall either hurt you or your Authority; for in very deed Madame, that Book was written most especially against that wicked Mary of England.

You thinke (said shee) that I have no just Authoritie: Please your Majestie, (said he) that learned men in all ages have had their judgements free, and most commonly disagreeing from the Common judgement of the world;¹ Such also have they published, both with Pen and tongue, notwithstanding they themselves have lined in the common Societie with others, and have borne patiently with the errour and imperfections which they could not amend. Plato the Philosopher wrote his Booke of the Common wealth, in the which hee condemnes many things that were maintained in the world, and required many things to have beene reformed: And yet notwithstanding he lived under such Politicks, as then were universally received without farther troubling any State: Even so Madame am I content to do, in uprightnesse of heart, and with a testimony of good Conscience, I have communicate my judgement to the world; if the Realme findes no inconveniencies in the Regiment of a woman, that which they approve, shall I not further disallow, then within my owne brest, but shall be all well content, and shall live under your Majestie, as Paul was to live under the Roman Emperour: And my hope is, that so long as ye defile not your hands with the Blood of the Saints of God, that neither I nor that Booke shall either hurt you or your Authoritie; for in very deed Madame, that Booke was written most especially against that wicked Mary of England.